Wildlife knows no boundaries. So AWF has defined areas across the continent that are critical to conservation. These Priority Landscapes can cover public and private lands alike and often cross borders.

Primary Ecosystems

Gallery

Overview

Central Africa is usually considered to include:

Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. This region has experienced multiple civil wars and the destruction of communities, the environment, and natural resources that come with them.

As the region strives to rebuild, it faces new challenges.

Creating sustainable livelihoods for its people while putting in place conservation strategies that help preserve the land and its wildlife is critical.

The most densely populated area of Africa, West Africa, usually includes:

Struggling to rebuild, the region continues to suffer a food-shortage crisis.

War-torn West Africa has experienced severe civil war conflicts since colonial independence. It is predicted West Africans will endure extreme water shortages before the end of this decade.

Challenges

What happens in Central Africa impacts all of us.

One of the greatest challenges for Central Africa continues to be deforestation. Home to the second-largest tropical forest in the world, the Congo Basin directly contributes to global climate change. Currently, it is unique in the sheer amount of carbon dioxide it absorbs. Deforestation, on the other hand, releases carbon. Because the Congo Basin is so vast, deforestation here could increase climate change globally if left unchecked. Another challenge for Central Africa is rebuilding after years of civil unrest. Addressing the livelihood and infrastructure needs of millions of people goes hand in hand with conservation.

West Africa may be full of natural beauty, but it is not in abundance when it comes to its giraffes and clean water.

The remaining West African giraffe population—often called white giraffes because of their light-colored spots—has been crippled, largely because their natural habitat has been degraded over the years by human activity.

The people of West Africa already face a number of challenges, including competition over limited land, and food and clean-water shortages. Due to extremely low rainfall, communities in West Africa are unable to grow their crops in abundance. Many people struggle to get access to clean drinking water. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 1,000 people in this region die every day from unsafe water.

Priority Landscapes

Projects

Will you show Central and West Africa your support?

With your help, African Wildlife Foundation can continue working on vital programs like helping West African giraffes thrive by creating ecological buffer zones surrounding parks or reducing deforestation in areas critical to endangered species. Learn more about our projects that will help people, land, and wildlife conservation in Central Africa and West Africa.

Reason #62 to get involved

Hippos are highly valued for their fatty meat and ivory tusks, putting them in the crosshairs of hunters and poachers. The Zambia Wildlife Authority and the Lower Zambezi Natural Park rely on African Wildlife Foundation's support to secure the park and protect hippos.

Reason #76 to get involved

Reason #75 to get involved

The African lion is in critical danger, with some predicting extinction by 2020. This isn't just a tragedy to the species; it would also cause major ecological problems. Help us continue crucial efforts like reducing human-wildlife conflicts that threaten the lion.

Reason #50 to get involved

Fewer than 900 mountain gorillas exist today. They live in areas suffering from the effects of civil war, poverty, poaching, and disease. Help fund efforts that include protecting gorilla habitats and keeping peace between locals and wildlife.

Reason #61 to get involved

On the brink of extinction in 1996, the West African giraffe population is now steadily growing. However, their habitat in Niger is not formally protected. African Wildlife Foundation needs support funding efforts that reduce human-giraffe conflict within these crucial ecological buffer zones.

Reason #74 to get involved

Reason #24 to get involved

The African wild dog population is at 6,600 and declining due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and widespread disease. Your support allows for wild dog scouts to monitor and protect this species.